Doctors - has anyone worked as a functional assessor …?

[Someonehelpmeplease]

Hi,

For long and boring reasons which I won’t get into here, I don’t have any specialist qualifications. Covid happened after I had just had a baby, and markedly changed the specialty I have previously worked in. So that field is no longer an option for me.

With limited options, I’m considering working as a functional assessor doing DWP assessments for ESA. However, I get the impression it’s pretty soul destroying work (I guess from the seemingly high turnover of staff/the fact that they seem to be hiring all the time; also the fact that it pays reasonably well makes me wonder if they need to incentivise people to stick around).

Am I mistaken…?

Would be really grateful if anyone who has done it could give me some insight either way.

Haven’t done it but nor would I want to. From what I can see it’s mainly junior docs who take up these roles so not sure what the structure/governance is like and who you would look to for senior support. It’s literally making decisions about people’s lives, IMO that should be done by clinicians with a bit more experience (DOI I have a relative who received a really crap assessment).

There’s a group called Alternative Careers for Doctors in Fb and this has come up on there, more than once.

@justabigdisco

Thanks for your post.

From what I have been told by a recruitment consultant, there is no decision making involved. Clinicians are required to ask specific questions and compile a factual report based on the answers given. Functional assessors don’t make decisions regarding benefit entitlements. Having said that, I wonder if there is pressure to interpret things in a certain (read: negative) light… 🤨

I’m not on Facebook. Can you shed any more light on what has been said about these positions?

Thanks again for your input.

I'd be interested to hear about this as they also have nursing roles and they are very well paid. I'd worry about targets and pressure though, plus it must be quite a heavy job. A lot of responsibility.

Seems hard to believe that there'd be much development or interest for you in the job. A bit soul destroying.

Would your deanery have any ideas about where to restart? There's such a need for you, surely there must be SOME support??

[quote Someonehelpmeplease]@justabigdisco

Thanks for your post.

From what I have been told by a recruitment consultant, there is no decision making involved. Clinicians are required to ask specific questions and compile a factual report based on the answers given. Functional assessors don’t make decisions regarding benefit entitlements. Having said that, I wonder if there is pressure to interpret things in a certain (read: negative) light… 🤨

I’m not on Facebook. Can you shed any more light on what has been said about these positions?

Thanks again for your input.[/quote]
To be honest I’ve not really read the threads but aware they are there. Some people reported the same as your OP - sounds good but is it really? From what you have said I would be concerned it would be utterly boring and soul destroying. Not sure why they need doctors if it’s just asking questions and noting down answers with no clinical decision making involved. Can you tell us any more about your situation? There must be other options.